Welcome to the Capital of Ilocos Sur! Known as the Heritage City, Vigan is located on the mid-section of the northwestern coast of Luzon Island within the province of Ilocos Sur. It is bounded on the north by the town of Bantay, on the east by Santa, on the south by Caoayan, and on the west by South China Sea and the town of Sta. Catalina. Vigan has a total land area of 25.1 square kilometers which is as big as Manila. It is politically subdivided into 39 barangays most of which are considered rural areas. Situated 407 kilometers north of Manila, Vigan can be reached in 8 hours by bus passing through the Maharlika Highway. The city has a secondary airport called Mindoro Airport but only chartered planes are using it. It is a coastal city but no seaport.

City hall

Inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List, the city is one of the country's prime tourist destinations. Vigan Heritage Village is the most photographed part of the city and of Ilocos Sur. Back in the 18th and 19th Centuries, Vigan was the pre-eminent town in the north. It had a robust economy then due to the tobacco monopoly and with it, came political power. Testimony to this glorious past are the century-old stone houses.

In terms of population, Vigan has one of the least number of residents among the all the cities in the Philippines. Ilocano is the primary dialect of the people in Vigan. The dominant religion is Roman Catholicism. Viva Vigan Festival is celebrated every first week of May.

The city is the trading hub of the province but agriculture is still the mainstay of the local economy. Main farm products include rice, tobacco, rootcrops, vegetables, livestock and poultry. Fishing is an important source of income especially in the coastal area. Fishponds are also sources of fish supply for the city. Vigan is well-known for its jars called burnay. It has a long tradition of making bricks called Damili. These materials were used to build the colonial houses and churches not only in the city but also in the region. Another popular cottage industry is the Abel-weaving from which fine fabrics are produced. Prominent personalities in the city and province are helping in the revival of this industry. With much help from the government, tourism is now playing an increasing role in the economy of the city.

The city offers much potential to attract small, medium and large enterprises. The processing of agriproducts hold as much promise as a viable enterprise in the city. Manufacturing construction materials can also be profitable consideraing the central location of the city in the region. The establishment of world-class tourist facilities is very much encouraged.

1. Vigan Heritage Village
2. Provincial Capitol and Plaza Zalcedo
3. Baluarte Zoo
4. Mindoro Beach
5. Vigan Cathedral

Main road to Vigan from the National Highway

An old house in the Heritage Village

Colonial Houses in the Heritage Village

More Houses in the Heritage Village

Narrow street in Central Vigan

Commercial building near the public market

Public market in Vigan City

Plaza Salcedo

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